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Creamy Spinach and Broccoli Pasta with Chicken

This is a protein-heavy pasta that uses ground chicken and cottage cheese to keep the macros solid without feeling like diet food. The sauce is blended greens with cottage cheese and Parm - it coats the pasta really well and doesn't taste like you're trying to be healthy.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 lbs pasta rigatoni, rotini, or calamarata
  • 1 large head broccoli cut into 3-inch florets
  • 1 bunch spinach rough ends trimmed
  • 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano plus more for garnish
  • 1/3 cup toasted almonds or walnuts or pine nuts
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided, plus more for garnish
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large Dutch oven of heavily salted water to a boil.
  • Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions.
  • Remove pasta with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl; toss with olive oil.
  • Reserve 1 cup pasta water and keep remaining water boiling in the pot.
  • Fill a large bowl with ice water.
  • Add broccoli florets to boiling water and cook 3-4 minutes until lightly softened.
  • Add spinach and cook 30 seconds until bright.
  • Transfer broccoli and spinach to ice bath and drain the pot.
  • Once cool, wring out vegetables thoroughly to remove excess water.
  • Add blanched greens, cottage cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, almonds, 1 Tbsp olive oil, garlic cloves, lemon zest, and lemon juice to a food processor.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Heat remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Season ground chicken with salt and add to pot.
  • Cook 5-7 minutes, breaking up pieces occasionally, until fully cooked through.
  • Reduce heat to medium low and add cooked pasta, green sauce, and a splash of pasta water.
  • Mix to combine, adding more pasta water as needed to create a thin, glossy sauce.
  • Spoon into bowls and serve immediately with additional Parmigiano Reggiano, lemon zest, and olive oil.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below & let me know!